I have yet to write about a trip I took over President’s Day weekend to the central coast of California — my friend Jenny and I drove up to Avila Beach, then explored nearby Pismo Beach, and ended the day in the city of San Luis Obispo. The next day we checked out the Madonna Inn and then drove to Morro Bay, then stopped briefly at a winery outside of Arroyo Grande before driving back to Los Angeles (stopping in Santa Barbara for dinner). Whew! It was a whirlwind trip and we squeezed a lot in.

Today I’ll write about our first stop in Avila Beach. Here’s a shot of our ride up the 101 from LA:

Recently I’ve written about the proliferation of wildflowers throughout Death Valley, but they were noticeable on our drive up the central coast too — see those yellow patches across the hills below?

Once we arrive in Avila, we manage to find a great parking space just a few short blocks from the beach. We notice signs for the local trolley, which runs during the summer months — it even stops at the outlets so you can combine the beach and shopping in one trip.

I stop to photograph this hotel, located one block from the beach — and guess what? The very next day it shows up on TravelZoo as a flash deal.

By now it’s past lunch time and we’re hungry. We put our names on the waitlist at one of the main restaurants along the beachfront and stroll until the buzzer goes off. Here are a few shots of this short street, which faces the ocean:

If you have to wait 45 minutes to eat lunch, this is not a bad place to kill time. Jenny and I stroll down the boardwalk and main pier.

The beach is packed and it’s mid-February. As someone who grew up in New England, this is why I love California.

Now we walk out on the pier. This next batch of photos were taken looking to the south side.

And now let’s look on the north side:

We are so hungry! The buzzer still hasn’t gone off so we stroll into some of the shops, killing time. And then finally… BZZZZZ.

They seat us on the patio looking towards the ocean. We split an order of ahi tuna tacos and fish & chips; it hits the spot.

Next we hop back in the car and head down the road to Pismo Beach, but later in the day we return to check out Avila Hot Springs. For around $6 you can use the pool and hot springs after 6pm. Since our hotel in San Luis Obispo has neither of these things, we take advantage of it. This facility is definitely not fancy and the women’s changing room is under construction so we have to use a cramped bathroom. But it’s nice to sit in hot water and chat for awhile, then jump in the pool. Here are two shots in the daylight:

And here’s what it looks like when we come back at night to actually go swimming:

If you’re headed up the central coast, Avila is a charming stop. The beach and pier is much smaller and less crowded than at nearby Pismo. Otherwise, both beaches are similar.